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My 12 yo daughter told me that she is doing the P90X program and now the Insanity program in school. Is this safe? She is healthy and is fairly fit and athletic, but has complained about the intensity and she had quite a bit of muscle soreness after.

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3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Kids and exerciseMy 12 yo daughter told me that she is doing the P90X program and now the Insanity program in school. Is this safe? She is healthy and is fairly fit and athletic, but has complained about the intensity and she had quite a bit of muscle soreness after.

It's important to understand that children are not biologically just small adults. Their muscles, hearts, and pulmonary function may not be as developed and not respond as quickly or as robustly as in adults, motor development is still occurring in kids, metabolic needs will be different, and of course, children are not as strong. These fitness programs were developed by and for adults. Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, is a young, strong, very conditioned man. He is not talking to, or thinking of, 12 year-old children, or any other children for that matter, when he makes these videos. The exercise programs are very good, but very intense. And as much as the physiology is different between adults and children, and there is the potential of physical risk, it's the emotional/psychological effect that could be of most concern. Kids should enjoy and have fun working out. If not, they may get turned off and stop exercising altogether. I imagine your daughter might feel like she's being tortured. Pre- and early adolescence is a key time for shaping impressions and attitudes about exercise. Adults, and in particular physical educators, should be made aware of and sensitive to these issues.

My suggestion is to call the PE teacher and discuss this. There are so many other things kids can do in school for physical activity to make it enjoyable. If the school wants videos, then select dance or other fun activities. In fact, let the kids decide. If you don't get cooperation from the PE teacher, then I suggest you go to the principle.

I work with obese adults. The majority of them had miserable experiences as kids in gym, and the moment PE wasn't mandatory, they stopped. And they became sedentary adults. This is unfortunate.

It's important to understand that children are not biologically just small adults. Their muscles, hearts, and pulmonary function may not be as developed and not respond as quickly or as robustly as in adults, motor development is still occurring in kids, metabolic needs will be different, and of course, children are not as strong. These fitness programs were developed by and for adults. Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, is a young, strong, very conditioned man. He is not talking to, or thinking of, 12 year-old children, or any other children for that matter, when he makes these videos. The exercise programs are very good, but very intense. And as much as the physiology is different between adults and children, and there is the potential of physical risk, it's the emotional/psychological effect that could be of most concern. Kids should enjoy and have fun working out. If not, they may get turned off and stop exercising altogether. I imagine your daughter might feel like she's being tortured. Pre- and early adolescence is a key time for shaping impressions and attitudes about exercise. Adults, and in particular physical educators, should be made aware of and sensitive to these issues.

My suggestion is to call the PE teacher and discuss this. There are so many other things kids can do in school for physical activity to make it enjoyable. If the school wants videos, then select dance or other fun activities. In fact, let the kids decide. If you don't get cooperation from the PE teacher, then I suggest you go to the principle.

I work with obese adults. The majority of them had miserable experiences as kids in gym, and the moment PE wasn't mandatory, they stopped. And they became sedentary adults. This is unfortunate.

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